Trade shows remain a critical investment for snow and ice control companies looking to stay competitive in 2026. From fleet upgrades and emerging vehicle technology to snow-specific equipment and contractor education, the right event can deliver real operational ROI. This guide breaks down three of the most impactful shows for the industry—Work Truck Week, SIMA Snow & Ice Symposium, and Equip Exposition—so you can decide where to spend your time, budget, and travel days based on your business goals.
Trade shows remain one of the most powerful ways for snow and ice control companies to stay competitive. Whether you’re looking to discover new equipment, connect with manufacturers, build partnerships, or evaluate fleet upgrades, the right trade show can deliver serious ROI.
While there are dozens of events across the country, three stand out for companies operating in the snow and ice industry:
- Work Truck Week
- SIMA Snow & Ice Symposium
- Equip Exposition
Each serves a different purpose. Understanding their focus, size, and relevance to winter operations can help you decide where to invest your time and budget.
Work Truck Week (Indianapolis, IN)
Website: worktruckweek.com
Produced by: NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry
Exhibitors: 500+
Industry Focus: Vocational trucks, fleet equipment, upfitting, vehicle technology
Snow & Ice Relevance: Moderate (Estimated 5–10%)
Work Truck Week is not a snow-specific show — but it’s one of the most important fleet and vocational truck events in North America.
Many snow and ice equipment manufacturers exhibit here, particularly companies offering:
- Snowplows
- Spreaders
- Dump bodies
- Salt brine systems
- Upfitted work trucks
- Municipal equipment
Because winter operations rely heavily on truck platforms, this event offers snow professionals exposure to:
- New chassis technology
- Electric and alternative fuel work trucks
- Telematics and fleet management systems
- Regulatory updates impacting vehicle operations
Unique Variables
- Green Truck Summit: Insight into sustainability and electrification trends that could affect future snow fleets.
- Ride & Drive: Hands-on vehicle experience.
- Cross-industry exposure: Opportunity to see innovations beyond the snow market that may improve winter operations.
Why Attend?
If your operation depends on trucks, fleet upgrades, or body equipment, Work Truck Week provides big-picture industry visibility that a niche show cannot.
SIMA Snow & Ice Symposium (Cincinnati, OH)
Website: show.sima.org
Produced by: Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA)
Industry Focus: 100% Snow & Ice
Snow & Ice Relevance: 90–100%
This is the only major North American trade show fully dedicated to the snow and ice industry. Every exhibitor, educational session, and networking opportunity is centered on winter operations.
The trade show floor typically features:
- Snowplow manufacturers
- Spreader manufacturers
- De-icing equipment providers
- Liquid anti-icing systems
- Software & route management technology
- Weather service providers
- Salt suppliers
- Safety and training solutions
Unique Variables
- Entirely snow-focused: No unrelated equipment or distractions.
- Business education: Risk management, contracts, operational efficiency, and industry standards.
- Peer networking: Direct access to other snow professionals facing the same challenges.
Unlike broader expos, this event is laser-focused on improving winter operations specifically.
Why Attend?
If you can only attend one snow-specific show, this is it. It’s the core gathering for the industry.
Equip Exposition (Louisville, KY)
Website: equipexposition.com
Exhibitors: ~1,000
Attendees: 28,000+
Industry Focus: Outdoor power equipment, landscaping, hardscaping
Snow & Ice Relevance: Low to Moderate (Estimated 1–5%)
Equip Exposition is one of the largest outdoor equipment trade shows in the United States. While primarily focused on landscape and outdoor power industries, it attracts many companies that operate in both landscaping and snow removal.
Winter crossover equipment often seen at Equip includes:
- Skid steers and compact loaders
- UTVs with plow attachments
- Salt spreader systems
- Multi-season equipment platforms
Unique Variables
- 30-acre Outdoor Demo Yard: Live equipment testing.
- Massive scale: One of the largest contractor gatherings in North America.
- Cross-season growth opportunities: Equipment that supports both summer and winter revenue streams.
Why Attend?
If your company operates year-round or is expanding multi-season services, Equip Exposition offers access to complementary equipment markets.
Comparing the Three Shows
|
Show |
Exhibitors |
Snow & Ice Focus |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Work Truck Week |
500+ |
5–10% |
Fleet managers, upfitters, truck-based operations |
|
SIMA Symposium |
Snow & ice vendors exclusively |
90–100% |
Dedicated winter professionals |
|
Equip Exposition |
~1,000 |
1–5% |
Multi-season equipment operators |
Note: Snow & ice percentage estimates are based on show focus and exhibitor makeup, as organizers do not publish official category breakdowns.
How to Decide Which Show to Attend
The right event depends on your business priorities.
Attend SIMA If:
- Snow and ice is your primary revenue driver.
- You want education specific to winter operations.
- You’re sourcing new snow equipment.
Attend Work Truck Week If:
- You’re upgrading fleet vehicles.
- You want insight into vocational truck trends.
- You manage a large truck-based operation.
Attend Equip Exposition If:
- You operate in both summer and winter markets.
- You want hands-on demo access.
- You’re evaluating multi-season equipment platforms.
Major Manufacturers Commit to Both SIMA 2026 and Work Truck Week
The following companies are confirmed exhibitors at both SIMA 2026 and Work Truck Week 2026:
- Arctic Snow and Products
- Arctic Snowplows
- BOSS Snowplow
- Buyers Products Company
- FISHER Engineering
- Hilltip Corp.
- Hiniker Company
- Henderson Products
- WESTERN Products
- Alamo Group Snow & Ice Team
- Bonnell Industries
- Certified Power Solutions
- FORCE America
- Swap Hogg / DownEaster
- Timbren Industries
SIMA remains the industry’s dedicated snow and ice event, heavily focused on contractors, operational efficiency, and snow-specific innovation.
Work Truck Week, meanwhile, brings together chassis manufacturers, upfitters, body builders, and fleet managers across multiple vocational segments.
Manufacturers exhibiting at both are signaling that snow and ice equipment is no longer siloed — it’s integrated into broader fleet strategies.
For brands like BOSS, FISHER, WESTERN, Hilltip, Buyers, and Hiniker, participation in both SIMA and WTW demonstrates an evolution in positioning.
These companies are not just selling winter attachments — they are selling:
- Integrated truck solutions
- Year-round upfit compatibility
- Technology-driven snow and ice systems
- Data-enabled fleet performance
Work Truck Week gives snow equipment manufacturers exposure to chassis OEMs, body manufacturers, and national fleet buyers. SIMA provides direct engagement with snow professionals and operational decision-makers.
Together, the shows represent two halves of the same market.
Final Thoughts
Trade shows are not just about buying equipment — they’re about staying ahead of industry trends, strengthening supplier relationships, and identifying operational improvements before your competitors do.
For snow and ice control companies, a balanced approach often delivers the best results:
- One dedicated snow show (SIMA)
- One broader industry event (Work Truck Week or Equip)
With labor challenges, equipment costs, and evolving winter weather patterns impacting operations, staying connected to the industry has never been more important.
If 2026 is a growth year for your company, these three trade shows deserve serious consideration.
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